Pre-pasted or self adhesive wallpaper, where each roll is coated with a pre-applied paste, is a great way to cut down on mess when decorating. You’ll probably be happy to know that hanging it isn’t that difficult either, all it takes is a little time to get to grips with it and then you’ll have amazing looking walls before you know it!

Before you start

Prior to beginning your decorating you’ll need the following essentials:

Your pre-pasted wallpaper

Scissors

Water (water tray filled 2/3 full, with room temperature water)

Sponge

Pencil

Ruler

Ladders

Wallpaper smoother

You’ll also need to make sure:

Your walls are clean and smooth and you have measured them and cut strips accordingly.

You know where you’re going to start. If you’re wallpapering all four walls, then go for the most inconspicuous corner

You have plumb lines This will help you to hang the strips straight and level.

Preparing pre-pasted wallpaper

Roll up a wallpaper strip from bottom to top with the paste side facing out so the pattern is not visible.

Submerge the rolled up strip into the water tray

Leave the rolled up strip in the water for however long it recommends on the packaging. This can differ between products, but is usually 30 seconds.

Remove from the water and unroll the wallpaper onto a work table ensuring all the paste is fully wet. Remove any excess water using your sponge.

Book the strip – this involves folding both ends in gently towards the centre without creasing it so that you can now see the pattern. Again, check the instructions on the packaging for how long to leave the wallpaper folded.

Hanging pre-pasted wallpaper

Make sure the pattern is the right way up!

Using the plumb lines you created earlier, line up the wallpaper strip on the wall and press to the surface.

Then, use your wallpaper smoother to remove any wrinkles or air bubbles which can occur when hanging the paper to the wall.

Wash off any excess paste with a sponge dampened in clean water.

You may need to trim overhanging wallpaper from the top and bottom of your walls. Use a clean, sharp knife to do this and take your time – it is better to go slow and do it right than to be quick and create rough-looking edges.

Using these steps, continue to hang the remaining strips creating new plumb lines for each wall and ensuring any pattern matches as closely as possible to the strips on each side.